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reciprocating engine

reciprocating engine

1 6.7
An engine in which pistons move up and down in cylinders to turn a shaft
  • noun
  • /rɪˈsɪprəˌkeɪtɪŋ ˈɛnʤɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : motor de pistones
  • For the two reciprocating engines tested, the analyzers were located outdoors and the engines were not purged.
  • turbines and reciprocating engine

Examples

  • The cylinders started to move up and down through the water, and then they began to move in sequence, almost as if they were part of a four-piston reciprocating engine.

    Academic text (2010)
  • The methane gas produced during the organic treatment process was captured and used to operate the reciprocating engines to generate electricity.

    Academic text (2002)
  • - If we keep her in steam, we can cross connect from the supply lines through reciprocating engines.

  • Our best shot is probably of the reciprocating engines on the starboard side, right?

  • There is a large air shaft here for light and air to ventilate the reciprocating engine room.

  • There's a natural weak spot here in the hull right above the reciprocating engine room.

  • One of the advanced engine concepts being considered is a nearly constant RPM reciprocating engine with a variable expansion ratio.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The tests conducted with the sensor-based analyzer demonstrate that the system can operate on representative turbines and reciprocating engines.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The FR-1 was nearly unique in that it was a twin-engine aircraft; at the front was a reciprocating engine with a traditional propeller, and in the fuselage was a GE jet engine.

    Blog text (1)
  • The reciprocating engine powers many small aircraft due to its efficient design.

How Powerful

jet engine
  • Specialized
14 3.7
turbine
  • Specialized
91 3.9
diesel engine
  • Specialized
6 2.8
reciprocating engine
  • Specialized
1 6.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

reciprocate + engine

The compound combines 'reciprocate' (move alternately/back-and-forth) with 'engine' (a machine), so its meaning — an engine whose parts move back-and-forth (pistons moving up and down) — is directly derivable from the constituents. This is a regular compositional technical compound found cross-linguistically, so a learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Reciprocating engine gets its name from the clear 'back-and-forth' motion inside: pistons move up and down in cylinders and push a shaft that turns to make power. That's why the term means an engine where parts move 'back and forth' to create motion.